Ironing-board covers? Ironing-board covers.

You might have thought it was impossible. But after today, I am here to bear witness: yes, friends, it IS possible to have an hour-long conversation about ironing-board covers.

When that hour-long conversation results in a surprisingly delightful search on etsy.com, however, it might have just been well worth the time.

Please, do enjoy the fruits of my labor:

(And P.S., props especially to CityChicCountryMouse. Who knew ironing boards could bring so much colorful froot-loopian fun to my day?)

Tabletop Architectural Ironing Board Cover, $16, CityChicCountryMouse

The Jonelle Ironing Board Cover, $25, Prettyinpurple

Bali Gate Ironing Board Cover, $24, CityChicCountryMouse

Asian Flower Ironing Board Cover, $22.50, Hestiahouseworks

Woodgrain Ironing Board Cover, $24, CityChicCountryMouse

Picnic Damask Ironing Board Cover, $24, CityChicCountryMouse

Turquoise WHIMSEY DOZIE Ironing Board Cover, $22.50, Hestiahouseworks

Antler Damask Ironing Board Cover, $24, CityChicCountryMouse

All images / websites / content © their respective owners.

Two words I never thought I’d see on my Christmas list: “ukulele lessons”

Can we discuss how insanely inspirational I find these guys from New Zealand's Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqynAAYdLW8&feature=player_embedded]

(The above was filmed in Wellington's amazing Deluxe Cafe, where the orchestra used to play every Thursday morning.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDdwpARNm-Y&feature=player_embedded#]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGdJpMfXha4]

P.S. Look for Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie in this one (and bonus points if you can spot him in the first video...).

All images / websites / content © their respective owners.

What a wall wants.

If your wall is anything like my wall, it's been pestering you for the past, oh, nine years or so to get it an authentic NYC subway roll sign. And each time my wall bugs me about it, I refer my wall to my checking account, who in turn smacks us both in the face and says, "Wake up, nerds. Subway roll signs are expensive."

Then my wall and I go sulk in the corner and mutter insults about my checking account under our breath.

Antique New York subway roll sign, $335

But my wall and I still like to dream. That's why we're lusting after this vintage roll sign from luckylittledot over at etsy (that's their pic, above). We're also a into a few hot little numbers over at subwaysigns.com.

And while my wall and I are purists who prefer vintage signs (I blame it on my dad's side of the family--we're all antique junkies), if you and yours would rather not deal with the older stuff, check out some of these lookers over at Restoration Hardware:

Small subway sign art, $495

Large subway sign art, $795

(Hmph. Stupid checking. Next time, my wall and I are seriously just hitting up my savings account.)

All images / websites / content © their respective owners.

‘Tis the season: Gift Guides are back (!)

This is my favorite time of year. And no, it's not because of the heaps of turkey and dressing coming down the pike. It's not the white lights starting to go up everywhere. It's not "Winter Wonderland" playing in stores or even the promise of my mom's red-velvet cake on the afternoon of December 25 (although, that one's a pretty close call).

This is the time when alllllll the magazines everywhere bust out their gift guides for the holidays--and ya'll, I LOVE a gift guide like nothin' else. Here are some quick ooh-I-want/need/covet-this picks from some of the best I've seen thus far:

New York Magazine

Bookshelf Book Cover Set, $9

Cardi-Vest with Mitten Pockets by Kico Kids, $98

Twill Briefcase by Jack Spade, $445

Travel + Leisure

Nudo extra virgin olive oil, $13.99

The Time Teller watch from Nixon, $55

The classic French cookbook I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot, $29.70

Bon Appetit

Ice Bucket, $135, Available at Zinc Cafe & Market

American Modern sugar bowl, $30

Lolo Brushed Salad Set, $70

Real Simple

Salt Sampler, $20

Lego Museum Building Set, $40

Pantone baggage tags, $15 each

In Style

Tea towels, $16 each (get 20% off with code INSTYLE09)

Bicycle clips for pants with "wing" design, $18 (get 20% off with code INSTYLE09)

Diamond Rectangle Pillows, $140 each

Lucky

Custom canvas bag with racer stripe, $78

Twine silk-screened LOVE print, $30

Flensted Mobiles Future Mobile, $64

Repeat Offenders (gifts listed by more than one mag)

Headphones by WeSC, $60 (In Style and New York)

Reissued Penguin Hardcover Classics, $20 each (Real Simple and Lucky)

The Onion: Our Front Pages, $28 (Real Simple and, even though their guides aren't out yet, I bet Entertainment Weekly and People will list it...it's a total no-brainer)

Did I miss anything good? If so, clue me in...